Monday, November 5, 2012

Rejoice... And A Pen



Do you ever struggle
while making a card? Sometimes I just can't seem to come up with the right combination of patterns or images/stamps. As was the case of this one. The Penmaker was working on one of his masterpieces to give to a friend, and he had asked me to make a Christmas card to go along with it. Naturally, I wanted it to be special... but had a total brain freeze. It took me two days of hard labor on this...LOL! Seriously... I did struggle, but I'm pleased with the results. I hope our friend will be also!

 I started with these 
patterns from the collection of Christmas papers from My Mind's Eye called All Is Bright.


The base is Kraft by 
Recollections and matted with a dark red from Core'dinations.


The cardinal is from
my new Artistic Outpost set called MidWinter.


I stamped it onto a
scrap of white cardstock and colored it using a Ranger Craft Nib and Festive Berries, Evergreen Bough, Iced Spruce and Vintage Photo Distress Inks plus Ink It Up's Cranberry. I fussy cut it, inked the edges with Vintage Photo and brushed on a coat of Distress Crackle Paint in Clear Rock Candy. When it was dry, I adhered it to two layers cut with My Favorite Things Die-namics Layered Labels die set that I stamped with Rejoice (from an old Sweet 'n Sassy set).


Here is the point that
everything went awry... but I digress.


The Alterations Distressed
Doily, Pine Tree and Mini Pine Tree were all cut out of paper from the Core'dinations Kraft-Core Nostalgic Collection pad, and the trees were embossed with Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots. I wrapped the tree trunks with May Arts brown burlap string.


There's a bit of cheesecloth
tucked under the tree here to give a snowy effect. A ChitChat sticker was put into the Label Pull... both are from Idea-ology.


I added bronze metal
corners from Momenta... popped up the trees with 3-D foam adhesive... and my two day card was complete.


Oops... I forgot to do the inside!


I already had the papers
in for the message, but I thought a verse should go inside as well. So out came the Layered Labels again, and I stamped them with Luke 2:11... For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.


Here is our completed set.


The pen is Black Ash,
and the clip has a Swarovski crystal in the tip.


I'm linking my card up with:

Anything Goes Challenge Blog - Anything Goes
Fab 'n' Funky Challenges - Die Cuts/ Punches
Make It Monday - #114
The Crafty Pad - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs!
Linda

20 comments:

Karen Letchworth said...

This is super awesome, Linda. There are SO many cool details, inside and out, and I just love the overall look of this. Great job! Thanks for blessing us by sharing it in our challenge this week at Word Art Wednesday. Hope you're having a blessed week, and of course, we hope to see you again real soon. This ROCKS!
Blessings,
Karen L
Word Art Wednesday

Elizabeth Hart said...

I love how you composes all the elements on this lovely card - stunning for sure. Saw it MIM!

Nita said...

Oh wow! So many beautiful details inside and out! I love the vintage feel to the whole set. I saw you over at MIM. :)

Nita
www.niftynitanotes.blogspot.com

Dawn said...

How beautiful is your card! Thanks for playing in the Anything Goes Challenge at The Crafty Pad this week!
Good Luck
Hugs
Dawn xx

rachel said...

fabulous card - really stunning collection of images that you've turned into a beautiful scene! Thanks so much for playing at the crafty pad this time and good luck! Hugs rachel x

yyam said...

It's a beautiful card! I love the textures and details. Perfect companion to the pen! :)

P/s: Sometimes when I'm out of ideas, I just try to keep it CAS.

Chrissy said...

Gorgeous card Linda, love the textures and design,gorgeous work.


Thanks for sharing with us at ‘Make it Monday’
Luv CHRISSYxx

Remember, to be in the running to win the prize from our sponsor this week just leave a comment for another entry. Be sure to mention you saw them on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning!

Tracy said...

What an amazing gift! I don't see a thing wrong with your card. I absolutely adore that blue green color you used on the card and the penmaker needs to be renamed the penMASTER! Hugs!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness girly. What a gorgeous card. You would never know that you had a tough time with it. And of course the pen looks amazing. What a lucky duck to receive these as a gift.

Hugs~

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Beautiful mix of paper Linda! Such a pretty card!

Jenny Marples said...

What a beautiful card Linda. You are not the only one to agonize over creating something like this but the results are so worth it. it matches the absolute beauty of that amazing pen. Your friend is one lucky person. Hugs, Buttons x

loz said...

Gorgeous car LINDA..and the pen is soo beautiful.. saw this on MIM...loz

Pat said...

Beautiful card, love all the elements. Thanks for sharing at Fab'n'Funky this week.

Pat xx

Peanut said...

Linda, this is amazing! What a gift! I'm speechless, I truly am! Wow! Spotted you on MIM. Thanks for visiting me!

Ros Crawford said...

Linda I am always like that ... should I use this? Should I used that? ... You may have had a brain freeze but my friend you nailed it! This is beautiful!!! One luck recipient there ... and the pen is another masterpiece ... what a lucky friend!

Saumya said...

Wooow..what a gorgeous collection.....peeping in from MIM

Gemiel said...

What a stunning card!! Love all the special details, especially how you wrapped the tree trunks. You friend will be truly blessed by the wonderful pen and card. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Word Art Wednesday. Blessings.

~♥~The Navy Wife~♥~ said...

Wow this looks stunning! So much time and love has gone into this! Lovely to see you playing along with us @ The Crafty Pad this week :) P.S. I have Santa’s Candy on my blog !

debbi taylor said...

this is lovely - so much texture
thank you for joining in the challenge at the crafty pad this week
hugs
Debbi x

Merry said...

Wow...two amazing craftspersons. Your card is beautiful and I love all the photos and details you have shared. The pen is stunning. So glad I have visited you from MIM. I must say a terrific blog name too. Thanks for your visit over my way.

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